Dear Colleagues,  

We are pleased to announce Aimee Heeter as the first vice chancellor for finance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her appointment will be effective Aug. 1, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. Her title until officially approved will be vice chancellor for finance designate. 

This position retitles the former position of associate chancellor and vice provost for budget and resource planning. This change is in line with similar titles at our peer institutions and with the other two campuses in the University of Illinois System. The position will continue to report to both the provost and chancellor. 

She has an impressive track record as vice provost for finance and administration at Indiana University, where she served as a strategic partner to senior leadership, academic schools and administrative units. She was responsible for the flagship campus’ $2 billion budget and oversaw budget planning, financial administration, internal controls, foundation management and auxiliary services. In this role, she demonstrated exceptional ability in developing both short- and long-term revenue growth strategies, budget models and operational processes that align with and support the university’s academic mission.  

She brings 23 years of higher education experience and holds a doctorate in higher education finance, a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in journalism – all from Indiana University. Her leadership is defined by collaboration, both within teams and across campus. In addition, she collaborates with organizations and universities across the world on budgeting, leveraging technology in financial modeling and setting benchmarks for excellence and innovation. Her expertise will be invaluable as we move toward greater financial transparency and operational efficiency at Illinois. 

We want to express deep appreciation and gratitude to Bill Bernhard for his leadership as interim associate chancellor and vice provost for budget and resource planning. His thoughtful and collaborative approach has brought stability to our financial operations as we searched for a permanent vice chancellor.  

We hope you will join us in congratulating Aimee once she arrives on campus in her new role at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

Sincerely,  

Robert J. Jones 
Chancellor 

John Coleman 
Provost